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Agreement with DUP ‘truly historic’ – Caitríona Ruane MLA

Sinn Féin South Down Assembly Member Caitríona Ruane has welcomed Monday's agreement between Sinn Féin and the DUP on the establishment of the Executive. Describing the joint announcement of the agreement by Gerry Adams and Ian Paisley as 'truly historic', Ms Ruane said every effort must now be made to ensure the Executive gets up and running.

Ms Ruane said:

"The agreement between the DUP and Sinn Féin on the establishment of the Executive is a hugely important and a welcome development. While it would have been preferable for the Executive to be put in place on Monday as scheduled, the agreement by the DUP to enter Government with Sinn Féin is a major step forward.

"Monday's statements by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and DUP leader Ian Paisley are truly historic. They have the potential to open up a new era in the politics of this island.

"Every effort must be made to ensure that the Executive and all the relevant institutions, including the All-Ireland Ministerial Council, get up and running. There is a special obligation on the Irish and British governments to ensure that the Executive is fully supported and that it has the resources to do its job.

"I welcome the fact that bills for water charges were not sent today and my party is fully committed to stopping the implementation of this totally unfair form of double taxation. We will also be pressing the Irish Government to fulfil the potential of this political progress to the full. This must include a real peace dividend for the Border counties, including south Down, and real all-Ireland development, including accelerated co-operation and integration in areas such as health, transport and communications." ENDS